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PUBLIC RELATIONS
Skot Communications becomes a new player on the Nigerian PR scene
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024
Global PR giant Hill & Knowlton exits the local market, as Skot takes over its staff complement and client base.
Skot Communications has become a new player on the Nigerian public relations scene following its acquisition of the business and assets of Hill & Knowlton Nigeria.
The new business venture opened its doors this month and is headed by Tokunboh George-Taylor, who was previously managing director of Hill & Knowlton Nigeria, which she helped establish in 2015.
Tokunboh George-Taylor. Photo via LinkedIn
Skot takes over the staff complement of 21 people, as well as the client base. These include Netflix, Visa, GE Vernova, Dorman Long, Shell and FBNQuest Merchant Bank.
The new public relations agency is based in Lagos and London and, according to a media statement, is positioned as a global strategic communications consultancy with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. It works across sectors including financial and professional services, energy, consumer, technology, healthcare, entertainment and sports, and education and women.
George-Taylor has extensive experience in PR. Before joining Hill & Knowlton, she headed corporate services and corporate communications for Oando, one of Africa’s largest integrated energy groups. She also served on the group leadership council.
Building on the Hill & Knowlton foundation
“We are thrilled to embark on this exciting new journey. Building upon the strong foundation laid by Hill & Knowlton, Skot Communications is committed to delivering the highest standards of public relations and communications services to our clients, with local and global insights to drive transformative growth,” George-Taylor says.
“We remain dedicated to exceeding expectations while simultaneously expanding our offerings to adapt to the evolving Nigerian market and media communications landscape.”
Hill & Knowlton Nigeria is owned by WPP Scangroup, the African subsidiary of WPP plc. The latter is a British multinational communications, advertising, public relations, technology, and commerce holding company headquartered in London.
HK Nigeria continues to exist as a non-operating subsidiary of WPP Scangroup.
In a cautionary announcement to investors late last year, ahead of the Skot Communications deal, WPP Scangroup said it aimed to “strategically reallocate resources towards our primary markets, enhancing our core business operations and therefore contributing to long-term success”.
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